Genomic Insights into Plant Growth-Promoting Traits of <i>Lysinibacillus fusiformis</i> and <i>Bacillus cereus</i> from Rice Fields in Panama

Soil, rhizosphere, and plant-associated microorganisms can enhance plant growth and health. A genomic analysis of these microbes revealed the key characteristics contributing to their beneficial effects. Following a field survey in Panama, four bacterial isolates with plant growth-promoting traits (...

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Main Authors: Celestino Aguilar, Rito Herrera, José L. Causadías, Betzaida Bernal, Oris Chavarria, Claudia González, Jessica Gondola, Ambar Moreno, Alexander A. Martínez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Microbiology Research
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/16/5/95
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Summary:Soil, rhizosphere, and plant-associated microorganisms can enhance plant growth and health. A genomic analysis of these microbes revealed the key characteristics contributing to their beneficial effects. Following a field survey in Panama, four bacterial isolates with plant growth-promoting traits (PGPT) in rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) were identified. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the genomes of <i>Lysinibacillus fusiformis</i> C6 and 24, and <i>Bacillus cereus</i> D23 and 59. The C6 genome was 4,754,472 bp long with 10 contigs, 37.62% guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and 4657 coding sequences (CDS). The 24 genome was 4,683,219 bp with five contigs, 37.65% GC content, and 4550 CDS. The D23 genome was 6,199,908 bp long with 18 contigs, 34.84% GC content, and 6141 CDS. The 59 genome was 6,194,462 bp with 21 contigs, 34.87% GC content, and 6122 CDS. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) confirmed that C6 and 24 belong to <i>Lysinibacillus fusiformis</i>, whereas D23 and 59 belong to the <i>Bacillus cereus</i> species. Further results revealed that these bacteria contained genes characteristic of plant growth-promoting bacteria, such as siderophore, phytohormone auxin (IAA) production, and nitrogen-fixing abilities that promote plant growth. Moreover, the antiSMASH database identified gene clusters involved in secondary metabolite production (biosynthetic gene clusters), such as betalactone, NRPS-like, NRP-siderophore, terpene, and RiPP-like clusters. Moreover, diverse and novel biosynthetic clusters (BCGs) have included non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs), polyketides (PKs), bacteriocins, and ribosomally synthesized and post-transcriptionally modified peptides (RiPPs). This work offers new insights into the genomic basis of the studied strains’ plant growth-promoting capabilities.
ISSN:2036-7481